Alabama faces 3 rounds of severe storms this weekend: What you need to know
The latter part of this week could be very stormy for Alabama.
There will be not one but three chances for severe storms in the state — on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, according to forecasters.
Saturday could be the most active day, with an enhanced risk for severe weather (Level 3 out of 5) in the forecast for nearly the entire state. Strong tornadoes will not be out of the question with Saturday’s storms as well as hail up to the size of tennis balls.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has also added a Level 1 out of 5 risk (marginal) for severe weather for a large part of the state on Thursday (see the map above).
A Level 1 risk means that isolated severe storms will be possible.
The National Weather Service said Thursday’s storms could bring wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to the size of golf balls.
The overall probability of severe storms on Thursday will be on the low side, according to forecasters.
There’s a wide window for storms on Thursday, from roughly 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., according to the weather service.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
The probabilities for severe weather will ramp up on Friday and especially on Saturday in the state.
The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting the equivalent of a Level 2 out of 5 (slight) risk for severe weather on Friday for parts of north and central Alabama.
Here is the severe weather outlook for Friday:
There will be a Level 2 out of 5 risk for severe weather in the areas in yellow in Alabama on Friday, mainly Friday night.SPC
A Level 2 risk means that scattered severe storms will be possible.
The time to watch for storms on Friday will be Friday night into early Saturday morning, according to the weather service.
Those storms could produce tornadoes, damaging winds and hail, forecasters said.
The weather service expects it to be windy before the storms arrive on Friday, with wind gusts of 30-40 mph possible.
The probabilities for severe weather will increase statewide during the day on Saturday.
The Storm Prediction Center has the equivalent of a Level 3 out of 5 or enhanced risk for most of the state on Saturday.
Here’s the outlook for Saturday:
Nearly all of Alabama will have a Level 3 risk for severe weather on Saturday.SPC
Those storms could last into early Sunday morning, according to the weather service.
Strong tornadoes (EF-2+) won’t be out of the question on Saturday, as well as wind gusts up to 70 mph, hail up to tennis ball size and heavy rain.
Storms will be possible throughout the day on Saturday, but the better chances for severe storms will be Saturday afternoon into Saturday night.
The storms are expected to move out of Alabama on Sunday morning, and no severe weather is expected through the first part of next week.